Artificial-leaf stemming and finishing machine.



l. FRIEDRICH.

ARTIFICIAL LEAF STEMMING AND FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5. 1914. RENEWED MAR. 30. 1915.

1,170,622. I Patented Feb. 8, 1916.

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I. FRIEDRICH.

ARTIFICIAL LEAF STEMMING AND FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 1UNE5I I914. RENEWED MAR. 30. I915.

Patented Feb. 8, I916.

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ARTIFICIAL LEAF STEMMING AND FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5. I9I4- RENEWED MAR. 30. I915.

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l. FRIEDRICH.

ARTIFICIAL LEAF STEMMING AND FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5, 19:4. RENEWED MAR. 30, 1915.

Patented Feb. 8,I9I6.

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ARTIFICIAL LEAF STEMMING AND FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED1UNE5 I9|4- RENEWED MAR. 30. I9I5. 1 170,622. Patented Feb. 8, 1916.

, ISHEETS-bHEEI 5 Isaac Friedrich,

I. FRIEDRICH.

ARTIFICIAL LEAF STEMMING AND FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 1UNE5| 19M. RENEWED MAR. 30. I9I5.

1, 170,622. Patented Feb. 8, I916.

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I. FRIEDRICH.

ARTIFICIAL LEAF STEMMING AND FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5. I9I4. RENEWED MAR. 30. 1915.

1,170,622. Patented Feb. 8, 1916.

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ISAAC FRIEDRICH, CF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ARTIFICIAL-LEAF STEMMING AND FINISHING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 8, 1916.

Application filed June 5, 1914., Serial No. 843,307. Renewed March 30, 1915. Serial No. 18,160.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Isaac Fninnmon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Artificial- Leaf Stemming and Finishing Machines,

of Which the following is a specification.

In the manufacture of artificial leaves, the stems have been applied thereto in a general way by hand and such operation besides bGIII 'SlOW and tedious is com mmare employed and connectedto a carrier which is endless so that the tables are advanced and returned to normal position in a cycle of operation.

The intervention further provides means for intermittently moving the carrier for advancing the leaves to the stemming and finishing mechanism, such mechanism being adjustable to adapt the machine to the va-,

rious sizes of leaves employed in the art.

The invention further consists of means forv applying an adhesive to thestem and pressing such stem upon the leaf, and means for separating the leaves and the stems.

thereof preliminary to advancing the leaves into a position to be acted upon by the veining mechanism. v

The invention also further consists of a clamp for retaining the leaf in position upon the table until the leaf reaches a position to receive the finishing operation when such clamp ;is tripped to effect the release of the leaf, which is fed into proper position to be acted upon by the finishing or veining mech anism.

The invention also further consists of a novel actuating mechanism cooperating with the veining mechanism and subsequent to the operation of such veining mechanism to effect a release of the leaves and a delivery of the same from the machine.

The invention consists of the novel feature, details of construction and combination of parts, which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, illustrated and claimed.

In the drawings hereto attached :Figure 1 is a. view in elevation of a machine for applying stems to artificial leaves and finishing such leaves by embossing or otherwise imprinting the veins thereon in imitation of the natural leaf, such machine illustrating an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line 0- 03 of Fig. 1 showing the parts on a larger scale. Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-section on the line y --g of Fig. 1. Fig. lis a horizontal section on the line z-e of Fig. 6. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line 'ww of Fig. 6 looking upward as indicatcdby the arrows. Fig. (3 is a vertical longiudinal section on the rear portion of the machine on the line w w of Fig.6.. Fig. 7 is a top plan view showing more clearly the means for holding the veining plunger elevated and the parts intimately associated therewith. Fig. 8 is a transverse section on the line 37* of Fig. 1 looking to the left. Fi 9 is a top plan view of one of the tables for receiving a leafshowing the same on a larger scale. Fig. 10 is a transverse section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9 looking to the left. Fig. 11 is a cross section on the line 11-11 of Fig. 9 looking to the left. Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional detail of a portion of the reciprocating table and leaf releasing mechanism on the line a a of Fig. 6 looking to the left. Fig. 13 is an enlarged section of the lower portion of the paste mechanism and tables showing the wire reel and presser foot for holding the wire in position when aflixing the same to the leaf. Fig. 14 is an enlarged section of the operating ends of two tables and the means whereby! such tables are intermittently moved forward. Fig. 15 is a detail view showing the means foradjustably securing the connecting rod to the arm of the main drive shaft. Fi

' i justable in the slot and is adapted to be secured in adjusted position. A connecting tudinal and transverse members.

16 is a sectional view on the line 6Z(Z of Fig. 15. Fig. 17 is a top plan view of a modified form of leaf receiving table. Fig. 18 is an end view thereof, the dotted lines showing the leaf detacher elevated. Fig. 19

is a cross section on the line l9 -l9-ofllig,

Fig. is a cross section on the line- 2020 of Fig 17.

Corresponding and like parts are referred theirouter edges to receive abelt 6 which is prevented from lateral movement. The pulleys or wheels 4 and 5have an 1nterm1ttent rotary movement imparted thereto.

v The [drive shaft 2 is continuously rotated,

whereas the shaft 3 has an oscillatory move merit imparted thereto. An arm 7is secured to the-shaft 2 so as to rotate therewith, such armbeing slotted as Sl10\VI1 IHOSt'ClQElTlY- in Fig. 15 and receiving a pin 8 which is adrod 9 has one end mounted upon the pin 8 and its opposite end is ad ustably connected to a slotted arm 10 which is secured to the "shaft 3. The connection of the rod?) with the arm 10 is at a greater distance from the shaft 3 than the point of connectlon'of the rod 9 with the arm 7,.the purpose be ngto have'the armjlf) receive-an oscillatory movesnent whereas the arm 7 rotates'with the shaft 2. y

In order that themachine may be readily adapted? for different sizes of leaves, it is necessary that the rod9 have adj ustable connection with the arms 7and 10. A plurality of tables 12 are provided for receiving and supporting the leaves 13, and suchtables are of a size depending upon the sizes of the leaves to be fitted with stems and finished withyeins or in any other'way.v The tables or leaf supports 12 arejpreferablyof metal andare connected to the endless belt 6 in a manner to admit of di iferent sizes of tablesb6111 laced in iiosition. Inasmuch as it is,

desirable to avoid subjecting the belt 6vto excessive strain and at the same time provide for movement of the tables around the pulleys 4 and 5, it is preferred toattach such tables at a central point to thebelhan-d for this purpose bracket lugs 14: are employed and are secured bysuitable fastenings to the tables, and belt to admit of the parts being readily detached when required. Tracks 15 are located at Opposite sides of the frame work and support thetables 12, such tracks consisting of angle bars which prevent any lateral movement of the tables, Each of the tables 12 isprovided with a clamp; and cutter, the clamp serving to hold the stem, whereas the cutter severssuch 'stem at the proper time.

The clamp consists of a fined j aw 16 and a movable aw 17, the movable aw being held pressed toward the fixed jaw by means of an eXpansible helical spring 18 arranged inan openingfornied'in an edge portion of the table 12. The tension of the spring 18 may be regulated by means of a, plug 19 threaded into fthe'opening in which the spring 18 is with the movable jaw 17 is formed with a cam 21 at its outer end to ride upon a trip 22 arranged in the path of the cam 21 so as to effect a release of the stem an instant after.

the same has been cut; The cutting mechanism embodies a suitable cutter 23 which is arranged within a recess formed in the table. An expansible helical spring 24 normally exerts a' pressure upon the cutter 23 to hold the same in a normal position'so asto clear the-stem. A rod 25 18 connected at 1ts inner placed. A rod 20 connected at its inner end end with the cutter 23 and projects beyond I the table. and is formed at its outer end with a cam 26 which is adapted to engage a trip 27 at one side of the'track and in the path of thecam26. The rods '20 and 25 areslid'abl'e in transverse openings formed in the table 12 and projects beyond opposite edges of such table. The trip 27 is located inadvance of the trip 22- whereby the cutting mechanism is actuated in advance ofthe means for releasing the stem after the latter has been out.

It is to be understood that withinthe purview of the invention,.the cutting and stem holding mechanism may be of any construction and arrangement so long as the wire const tuting the stem-1s retained in proper position during the affixing" thereof to the leaves and is subsequently ut into the required lengths to form the stems.

p A reel 28 is located at or near the front end of the machlne and 1s mounted in suit.

able supports 29. The wire3OI forming the stems 1s wound upon the reel 28 and may be of any construction such as is commonly emf ployed in connection with'artificial flowers. The w re 30 after leaving thereel 28 passes around a guide pulley 31 thence over a rotary pastor 32 and beneath a presser foot 33. It is proposed to provide a number ofpresser feet 33 andlocate the same at intervals in the length of the track so as to hold the wire pressed upon the leaves; Each presser foot 33 is mounted in a support 34c and is acted upon by means of a spring 35 which is mountedupon a stem of thepresser foot and confined between a shoulder of such presser foot and the support 34;. The length ofthe endless carrier is such as to insure a thorough setting of the paste or like adhesive before the wire is cut and the leaves released preliminary to being advanced to the veining or finishing mechanism.

The paste or other form of adhesive employed for attaching the stems to the leaves is contained in a box 36, such box having an outlet near its lower end through which the paste distributer 32 projects. The paste distributer 32 consists of a wheel which is grooved in its periphery to center the wire. The paste distributer 32 is positively driven, being connected by means of a belt 37 with the drive shaft 2. A wiper 38 is adjustable so as to remove surplus paste from the distributer 32 so that the proper amount may be supplied to the wire 30. The tables or leaf supports 12 are intermittently advanced by suitable means such as a member 39 which is mounted upon the frame work in such a manner as to have a reciprocatory movement imparted thereto. A welghted dog 10 is pivoted to the member 39 and is adapted to engage the tables 12 and move the same forward. As shown most clearly in Fig. 14, the weighted dog 10 has its forward end upwardly curved and as a result such curved end rides under a table when the member 39 is returning to a normal position preliminary to moving forward for advancing the tables. Lugs 41 depend from the sliding member 39 and pass through slots therein. Rods 12 connect the lugs 11 with arms 13 secured to the shaft 3. It is to be understood that the connections are such as to advance the tables the predetermined distance at each operation, this being regulated at the outset when adapting the machine for operating upon leaves of a given size. A table 14: is adjustably mounted upon the rear portion of the frame work 1 and supports the veining or finishing mechanism and adj unctive parts and an adjusting screw 45 is mounted in parts of the frame work 1 and has screw thread connection with a sleeve 46 depending from the table 14. After the table 44 has been adjusted to properly position the veining mechanism, it is held in the located position by means of belts or like fastenings 17. A table 18 is slidably mounted .upon the table 44k and has bracket lugs 19 depending therefrom and connected by means of rods 50 with the arms 10. The table 48 receives a reciprocatory movement of such amplitude as to carry a leaf in proper position to receive the finishing operation. The table 41-8 is of length to receive two leaves at one time and its receiving end is adapted to extend beneath the leaf of the rearmost table 12 so as to receive such leaf when the rear table 12 passes around the pulley or wheel 5. At this time the leaf is released from the clamp of the rear table 12. It is to be understood that the front portion of the table 48 is provided with one part of the finishing mechanism corresponding to the veins of the leaves in their finished state. When the table i8 is moved rearward, the leaf received upon its front portion is brought beneath a plunger 51 which has a die 52 attacl ed thereto, such die being the counterpart of the finishing surface of the table 48. the plunger 51 has its stem 53 mounted in cross pieces of a frame work 54: which is secured to the table 14 so as to move there with. The upper end of the stem 53 has a vertical slot which receives a stud 56 projccting laterally from one end of a lever 57, the other end of such lever being connected by means of a rod 58 with one arm of a bell crank 59, the other arm of such bell crank being connected by means of a rod 60 with the arm 10. An expansible helical spring 61 is mounted upon the stem and is confined between a stop 62 and the upper cross piece of the frame 54. The stop (52 is adjustable to admit of varying the tension of the spring 53. The normal tendency of the spring 53 is to force the plunger 51 downward. When the plunger 51 is elevated, it is held in the raised position by means of a detent G3 which consists of a lever pivoted between its ends upon the upper cross piece of the frame 54L. A spring G-ft normally presses the detent 63 into engagement with the stem 58, the latter being provided near its upper end with a stop (35 which engages over the lever 63 thereby holding the plunger 51 elevated against the tension of the spring (31. A trip 66 secured to the upper end of a vertical shaft 67 is adapted to engage the detent 63 and effect a disengagement of such detent from the stem 53 whereby the plunger 51 is permitted to descend at the proper moment to effect the veining or finishing of the leaf in position thereunder. An arm 68 is secured to the lower end of the vertical shaft 67 and is provided with an adjustable stop (59 ar ranged in the path of a stop 70 provided upon the table as. When the table 48 is moved rearward after receiving the leaf and when the latter reaches a proper position beneath the plunger 01, the detent 63 is tripped by the stop 70 striking the stop 69 and the plunger 51 being released is thrown downward by the action of the spring 61 thereby forming the veins or otherwise finishing the leaf.

It has been found that there is a tendency of the leaf to stick to one or the other of the finishing members, hence it has been necessary to provide means for detaching the leaf from such members. The leaf detacher comprises an L-shaped arm 71 which is secured at one end to a shaft 7 2, the other end of such arm being provided with a grip 73. The leaf detaching arm 71 is limited in its downward movement by step means-7 1 which consists of laterally extending lugs arranged to engage portions of'the lower cross piece of the frame 54 bordering upon the slot through which the part 71 operates. The arm 71 is moved by means of an arm 75 which is secured to the shaft 72 and has its lower end arranged to be engaged by means of a. cam 76 provided upon the table 48. The grip 73 is pivoted between its ends to the vertical or depending portion of the arm 71 and is weighted at one end and formed atits opposite end with a hook 77 which is arranged to engage the stem 30 and hold the same against the lower end of the arm 71 during the return of the table 4-8 to a normal position, when the grip 73 is actuated to release the stem thereby permitting the leaf previously detached from the veining or finishing members to drop upon the rear portion ofthe table 48; A wire 78 is connected at itslower end to the weighted grip 73 and its upper end is adapted to engage apin- 79 projecting from a part of the frame work 54. A stop 89 projects from the lower end of the arm 71 and is adapted to engage the grip 73 and limit the downward movement of. its weighted end. Normally the weighted end of the'grip 73 is held a short. distance above the stop 80 by the upper end of the, wire or like connection 7 8 engaging the pin 79 but when the arm 71. is raised, the stop 80 is brought into contact with the grip 73' there by causing such grip to rise with the arm 71,' and when the arm-75 clears the cam 76, the arm 71 falls quickly and the weighted end of the grip 73 being arrested in its downward movement by the part 78 engaging the pin 79 causes such grip to turn upon its pivot connection with the arm 71 and either grip or release the stem according to the position of the table 48. The cam 76 is of such a length as to clear the arm 75 at the end of the movement of the table 48 in each direction. i

A deliverer is located at the rear end of the machine for removing the leaves from the table 48 when the same returns to a,

position to receive the next leaf from the stemming mechanism. This deliverer con sists of a plate 81 which is pivoted at 82 upon. a transverse rod mounted in lugs de pending from the lower cross piece of the frame work 54-. A stop 83 limits the downward movement of the leaf deliverer 81. An arm 84 is secured to one end of the rod 82 and is adapted to be engaged'by means of a track 85 carried by the table 4-8. 'When the table 48 moves rearward, the track 85 engages the arm 84 and lifts the part 81 so that the leaf may pass beneath the de liverer. I Upon the return movement of the table 48 and before the same reaches the limit of its travel, the track 85 clears the arm 84 thereby permitting the deliverer 81 to fall upon the leaf and drag the same from the table 48, such'l'eaf dropping into. a suitable receptacle placed to receive the, same. i

his hereinbefor stated. the machine is adapted to stem and finish artificial leaves of different lengths hence tables 12 of different lengths are adapted to be placed in position and attached to the belt 6. The veining or finishing mechanism is adjustable in the manner stated so. that its posi-. tion may be fixed with reference to the size of the leaf to be veined or otherwise 'finished. The various adjustments indicated, provide for variation in the movements of the different parts according to the length of the leaves to be operated upon.

Tn the modification shown in Figs. 17 and 18, the table 19 is'provided witha stem supporting bar 12 which is detachably connected thereto so as to be replaced by bars of different lengths. To prevent the leaf. sticking to the table 12?, a detacher 12 is provided, the same wire which is attached atone end to thev lock shaft 12% which is acted upon by consisting of a means of a spring 12, said lock shaft havmeans of the paste distributer 32 and such wire is placed upon the leaves by means of l the presser feet 33. By the time the leaf reaches the veining mechanism, the adhesive has s t or hardened. After the rear: most table passes around the pulley or wheel 5, the leaf supported thereby passes upon the table .28 and at the proper moment the.

vvire 30 is cut and an instantthereafter the clamp holding the leaf is actuated to release such leaf which is now supported solely by means of the'tahle L8. The instant the leaf is fully deposited upon the table i8, the latter moves forward to bring such leaf beneath the plunger 51 and when. the table 4:8 has reached the limit of its forward movement, the detent 63 is actuated tore-'- lease the stem 53 thereby admitting of the plunger being forced downward by the action of the spring 51 thereby veining or otherwise finishing the leaf. At this stage of the operation the leaf detaching arm 71 is moved to cause the grip 73 to engage the stemof the-leaf just finished,' thereby insuring the disengagement of the leaf from the table and plunger, such leaf being held position when the part 71 is again moved to cause the grip 73 to release the leaf which drops upon the rear end of the table to be removed therefrom at the next operation of the table by means of the leaf detacher S1 in the manner stated.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the advantages or. the construction and of the method of operation will be readily. apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the device which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made when desired as are within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In a machine for applying stems to artilicial leaves and finishing the latter, the same comprising a plu :ality of tables for receiving and supporting the leaves, a reel containing a stem forming element wound thereon, means for applying an adhesive to the said stem forming element, means for pressing and holding the stem forming element upon the leaves placed upon the tables, cutting mechanism for severing the stem forming element into predetermined lengths,

'means for ellecting a. release of the leaves from the tables, a second table for receiving the leaves from the stennning tables, operat-. ing means for said second table, a plunger for finishing the leaves, and operating means for actuating the said plunger.

2.111 a machine for stemming and finishing artificial leaves, the combination of a plurality of leaf supporting tables connected in a series, means for supplving a stem forming' element in continuous length, means for supplying an adhesive to such stem forming element, presser members at intervals in the path of said tables for holding and pressing the stem forming element upon the leaves, and acutting mechanism for severing the stem forming element into predetermined lengths.

3. In a machine for stemming and finishing artificial leaves, the combination oi? an endless belt, supporting means for such belt, leaf supporting tables attached to the belt, a track for supporting and giving proper direction to the leaf supporting tables, means for applying a stem to the leaves placed upon the tables, a second table arranged to receive the leaves when stemmed from the first mentioned tables, means for imparting a reciprocatory movement to the second table, and a finishing mechanism for operating upon the leaves when properly positioned by the said second table.

4. In a machine of the character specified, the combination of spaced pulleys, an endless belt supported bv means of such pulleys, av track arranged between the pulleys, a plurality of leaf supporting tables attached to the said belt and arranged to travel upon the track, means for supplying a stem forming element in continuous length, means for aflixing such stem forming element to the leaves, a. cutting mechanism for severing the stem forming element into given lengths. and a finishing mechanism arranged to re ceive the leaves when stemmed.

5. In a machine for applying stems to artificial leaves. the combination of a connected series of leaf supporting tables, a clamp and cutter mounted upon each of such tables means for supplying a stem forming element in continuous length, and actuating means for operating the clamp and cutter of each of the tables at different times whereby the stem forming element is cut in advance of the operation of the clamp to effect the release of the stem.

6. In a machine for stemming and finishing artificial leaves, the combination of a connected series of leaf supporting tables, a clamp and cutter mounted upon each of such tables, trips for operating the clamps and cutters, the one in advance oi the other, means for imparting an intermittent movement to the connected series of leaf supporting tables, means for supplying a. stem formin element in continuous length, and means for attaching the stem forming element to the leaves.

7. In a machine for stemming and finishing artificial leaves, the combination of a connected series of leaf supporting tables. means for applying stems to the leaves, a second table for receiving the leaves when stemmed, means for imparting a reciprocating movement to the said second table, a finishing mechanism including a plunger, operating means For the plunger, and means for disengaging the leaves from the finishing mechanism.

8. In a machine for stemming and finishing leaves, the combination of aconnected series of leaf supporting tables. means for imparting an intermittent movement to the tables, a second table for receiving the leaves when stemmed, means for imparting a reciprocating movement to the second table, a leaf finishing mechanism including a plunger. means for detaching the leaves from the leaf finishing mechanism, and means for delivering the finished leaves from the said second table.

9. In a machine of the character specified, the combination of a reciprocatingtable, a plunger arranged to cooperate therewith, a stem projecting from the plunger, a spring normally exerting a pressure upon the plunger, a detent for holding the plunger spaced from the table against the tension of the plunger actuating-spring, and. a trip for disengaging the detent from the plunger to I admit of thelatter being thrown forward 10 inally hold the plunger away from the table,

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner, of Patents,

and a trip adapted to be actuated by the table for eflecting a release of the detent from the plunger to admit of the latter being thrown forward by means of-the spring;

Intestimony whereof I aflix my signature 15 in presence of two witnesses.

ISAAC FRIEDRICH.

Witnesses:

HELEN G. DALEY, W. S. MCDOWELL.

Washington, D. G. 

